The Both Of Us | Zelink X The Last Of Us

Chapter Forty-Four

Link's pov

I open my eyes a little. My head feels like it's splitting and the blinding lights don't help. Where's Zelda?

"He's awake," a woman's voice says and I look over. Just a soldier. She's talking into a radio.

I try to move and I'm stopped, hearing metal rattle against metal. My legs are bound too. I'm cuffed to a fucking chair. Shit.

"Just relax," the soldier says. "It's only a precaution."

"Fuck you."

"Hey!" another soldier barks, nudging me with his rifle. "Don't speak to her like that."

"Fuck you too." Everyone gets the same treatment.

"Classy," the first soldier remarks.

"Very. Can you uncuff me now? I'm not into this sort of thing."

"Not until the boss approves of it."

"That's a little kinky."

She sighs and looks over at the first guy. "He certainly doesn't seem infected."

"I'm not infected."

They ignore me. "He has to be," he says. "He tested positive and he has a bite on his neck."

"Who said the bite was from an infected?" They both look at me now, confusion and concern across their faces. "Just saying."

The door opens and in walks a large man with long white hair and a beard. He's accompanied by another soldier, one with red hair and tanned skin. He's muscular like me, maybe even a little taller.

"No sign of infection?" the big man asks the woman.

"None but he's been very...colorful." They should be grateful I'm not being violent. Yet.

"I see. You two may leave. Stay outside the door."

"Yes sir." They leave and the man studies me.

"Rhoam I assume?" I say, murder creeping back into my voice. So much for anything I wanted. He's already keeping me as a prisoner.

"That'd be correct."

"Great. Where's Zelda?"

"She's safe."

"I want to see her."

"You're in no place to make demands." He steps further into the room. "Not until you can explain."

"Explain what?"

"Don't play dumb. You're infected." Fuck.

"I'm not. Am I twitching and snarling like a rabid animal?"

Rhoam holds his hand out, the soldier placing a tester in his hand. He holds it against my neck and beeps after the pinch, the screen glowing red.

I smile. "Must be broken."

He returns the tester to his soldier and crosses his arms behind his back, pacing in front of me with an amused expression. "You're quite the character, aren't you?"

"Sure. I'll be even more entertaining if you don't take me to Zelda."

"You're still in no place to make demands and threats would simply be unwise." Keeping me prisoner is unwise.

"I prefer to call them promises. By the way, what happened to letting me have whatever I wanted?"

"That was before I learned of your...condition we can call it." I knew he'd go back on it. Why didn't we go back to Jackson? "What is it you'd want anyway?" Freedom maybe.

"We could start with your daughter," I hiss. I don't entirely trust that she's safe. Not unless I'm the one protecting her.

He pulls up another chair, sitting in front of me. He crosses one leg over the other, lacing his fingers together on his knee. Once a politician, always a politician. "And why do you want my daughter? You brought her here safely as asked. What business do you have with her now?"

I open my mouth, ready with some snarky remark, only to promptly shut it. He doesn't know we're together. He already has me cuffed to a chair; I don't want to be tortured with my love for her too.

He smiles at my silence. "Don't tell me you care for her." For once in my shitty life, I find it difficult to lie. "You do," he chuckles. "I didn't think someone like you was capable of having a heart." I clench my jaw. I didn't think I was either. "It's why I hired you after all. Link Miller, one of the most notorious mercenaries in this broken world of ours. And yet he has a soft spot after all. For someone he'll never get to have."

"The fuck does that mean?" I growl, straining against my cuffs. I should've never come here.

He leans forward, amusement still playing across his smug face. "It means I'd never let her be with someone as dangerous as you. You did your job and now it's over."

"You fucker–"

"Oh please. I know my daughter. She's too smart to be interested in someone like you." Now I laugh. It doesn't matter what he knows. I have a feeling he's going to kill me anyway. "It's hilarious isn't it?"

"You don't know her as well as you think you do," I laugh.

What if I told you I loved you back?

"You're going to tell me you know her better?"

"I know every inch of her." Fury replaces his amusement.

"You're lying."

"Maybe." I grin. "But if you think I'm lying, why are you getting so upset?"

His chair screeches on the floor when he stands. "You're going to regret it if you put your hands on her."

"What'd you call me? A notorious mercenary? What makes you think I have regrets?" My only regret is coming here.

"I should have you killed," he seethes.

"By all means try."

"Not yet." He smiles again, straightening his clothes. "I have a better use for you."

"I'm not doing shit for you."

"It's really not up to you but good effort. If you're really immune, I'd love to find out why. We've been trying to find a vaccine since the beginning. You might just be the piece we were missing." I glare up at him when he touches my forehead. "Something in here is what humanity needs."

"So what?" I scoff. "Gonna pick at my brain like some freak?"

"Think of it as redemption for your sins." He turns away, placing a hand on his soldier's shoulder. "Don't damage his brain too badly, Ganon. But give him what he deserves."

"Yes sir," Ganon says, cracking his knuckles.

"Oh this is gonna be fun," I laugh. "Show me what you got, big guy."

"Gladly."

The harder he hits, the more I laugh. It's all too stupid to possibly be real. I tried to be a better man and I walked myself to my death. I could've been selfish. I could've kept her for myself like I wanted. I wanted her all to myself so I wouldn't have to remember what loneliness feels like. But my hands are slick with blood. They can't hold onto anything good. She slipped right through my fingers.

And now I'm going to die alone.